Camera control system, camera server, camera client, control method, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

This invention stores previously sensed image information, so that information with an angle desired by the user can be searched for and displayed. For this purpose, image data sensed by a camera device ( 100 ) is captured by an image information capture unit ( 101 ). On the other hand, the angle information of image data captured by the image information capture unit ( 101 ) is acquired by an image view point information acquisition unit ( 102 ), and a header is generated by a header generation unit ( 103 ) based on the angle information. A recording information generation unit ( 104 ) generates recording information based on the generated header and the captured image data, and stores the generated information in an external storage device ( 6 ). Upon reception of an external search instruction, a search unit ( 105 ) searches for information matching angle information included in the search condition, and an output unit ( 106 ) outputs the found image data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera control system, cameracontrol apparatus, camera operation device, and method, which controlremote cameras.

[0002] Recently, the Internet has received a lot of attention. Theassignee of the present invention has already proposed some inventionsthat relate to camera servers connected to the Internet. According tosuch proposals, the user connects a desired camera server via theInternet, controls the angle (pan and tilt angles and zoom value) ofthat camera, and can observe live images sensed by the camera. Forexample, when the camera of the camera server is set at a resort,tourist spot, or the like, the users can enjoy images at their homes.

[0003] However, since images sensed by the camera are transferred toclients connected to the server at that time, the users at these clientscan observe the images but one client (one user) alone has the right ofaccess to that camera, i.e., can freely operate the angle. Even when thetime period of the right of access to be granted to a single client islimited, and the right of access is granted to queued clients in turn,if a large number of clients are queued, each user cannot observe animage with his or her desired angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the abovesituation, and has as its object to provide a camera control system,camera server, camera client, control method, and storage medium, whichstore previously sensed image information, and can find and displayinformation at a user's desired angle.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, a camera control systemaccording to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

[0006] That is, there is provided a camera control system built by acamera server which can freely control a camera device, an angle ofwhich can be freely controlled, and a client for displaying an imagefrom the camera server, the client comprising:

[0007] search condition transfer means for transferring angleinformation as search condition instruction information to the server;and

[0008] display control means for displaying image data transferred fromthe camera server on predetermined display means, and

[0009] the camera server comprising:

[0010] storage means for storing image data sensed by the camera deviceand angle information of that image data in predetermined storage means;

[0011] search means for searching the storage means in accordance withthe angle information in the instruction information when theinstruction information is received from the client; and

[0012] image data transfer means for transferring the image data foundby the search means to the client.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a cameraserver according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a chart showing the automatic camera image sensingsequence in the camera server of the first embodiment;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the processing contents ofautomatic camera image sensing shown in FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 4 shows the format of image data stored in the camera server;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation processing of thecamera server;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a clientapparatus of the first embodiment;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a window displayed on theclient apparatus;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the input processing of a searchcondition on the client apparatus;

[0022]FIG. 9 shows an example of a client management table in the cameraserver;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the cameraserver of the first embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a modification of the operation ofthe camera server; and

[0025]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a systemaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

[0027] <First Embodiment>

[0028]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a cameraserver according to this embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a block diagramshowing the detailed arrangement of the camera server.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 10, reference numeral 100 denotes a cameradevice, the pan and tilt angles and zoom value (to be generally referredto as an angle hereinafter) of which can be controlled; and 101, animage information capture unit for capturing image data obtained by thecamera device 100. Reference numeral 102 denotes an image sensing viewpoint information acquisition unit for acquiring the angle informationof the camera at that time. If the camera device 100 can send back angleinformation at that time in response to an appropriate control signal,the angle information can be acquired by outputting a signal every timethe angle information is required. On the other hand, if the cameradevice 100 does not have such function, the angle information of thecamera device can always be held. Reference numeral 103 denotes a headergeneration unit for generating header information on the basis of theacquired header information; and 104, a storage information generationunit for synthesizing the generated header information and sensed imagedata in a predetermined format, and storing the synthesized data in anexternal storage device 6. Reference numeral 105 denotes a search unitfor finding target image data by searching headers for informationstored in the external storage device 6; and 106, an output unit foroutputting the found image data. Reference numeral 107 denotes a controlunit for controlling the entire apparatus. The control unit 107 allowsan external input of a search condition and the like.

[0030] The relationship between the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 andFIG. 1 will become apparent form the following description.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a cameradevice, the angle of which can be controlled; 1, a CPU for controllingthe entire apparatus that serves as a camera server; and 2, an interfacefor supplying various control signals to the camera device 100,receiving a status signal from the camera device 100, and also receivingsensed image data. Reference numeral 3 denotes a ROM that stores a bootprogram of the CPU; and 4, a RAM. Reference numeral 5 denotes a timerthat measures time; and 6, an external storage device (e.g., a hard diskdevice) that stores an OS, and a program that implements the cameraserver. The CPU 1 is booted in accordance with the boot program in theROM 3, and loads the OS and camera server program from the externalstorage device 6, so that the apparatus of this embodiment can serve asa camera server. The external storage device is also used for storingsensed image data in a format to be described later. Reference numeral 7denotes a communication interface connected to the Internet.

[0032] Upon reception of a connection request from a client on theInternet (or a network), the camera server (the entire apparatus shownin FIG. 1) of this embodiment grants the right of access to a client whowas connected first, and transfers a sensed image to that client. Toclients who were connected in the second and subsequent places, thecamera server transfers image data but does not grant any right ofaccess. However, since unconditional grant of the right of access to asingle user offends other users, the access right is granted to otherusers in turn by limiting the access time. The right of access isgranted in the connection order.

[0033] If the number of connected users is relatively small, theconnected users can observe images with free angles after they wait foran appropriate period of time. However, if a large number of clients arequeued for gaining the right of access, even when the right of access isgranted to each user under the condition of 5 minutes per client, a newclient must wait for a considerable period of time. Above all, the usermust pay a line connection fee for such wait time.

[0034] In this embodiment, the camera server stores previously sensedimages, and their angle information and time information, and cantransfer the stored image to clients who have no right of access,thereby solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0035] For example, assume that the user can confirm the traffic of agiven road near a certain camera server by controlling its angle. Inthis case, images one hour or half an hour before may suffice for theuser of that client to roughly estimate the road traffic.

[0036] For this purpose, the camera server of this embodimentsequentially controls the pan and tile angles (the zoom value is fixedat the telephoto end (=minimum magnification) independently of thepresence/absence of connected clients at the designated time, and storesimages that can be sensed by its camera in the external storage device6. In this case, the image data is stored in correspondence with itsangle information and time information. Also, the image data is storedafter appropriate compression processing.

[0037]FIG. 2 shows the full view field image capturing timings. In thecase of FIG. 2, full view field image capturing is done every hourduring a period from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The period and capture timingsare controlled by the timer 5, but may be appropriately changed.

[0038]FIG. 3 shows the processing started when the capture time has beenreached. The processing will be described below with reference to theflow chart in FIG. 3.

[0039] If the capture time has reached, the right of access istemporarily disabled in step S1. If a client who has the right of accessat that time is present, the camera angle at that time is saved, and amessage indicating that the right of access is temporarily disabled forfull view field capturing is sent to that client.

[0040] The flow advances to step S2 to initialize the pan and tiltangles (for example, the camera is controlled to point the upper leftend of the photographable view field range). The zoom value is set atthe telephoto end (minimum magnification).

[0041] An image is sensed at that camera angle in step S3. A header iscreated based on the image sensing time and angle value, and is storedin the external storage device 6 together with the obtained image data(step S4).

[0042] The flow advances to step S5 to change the angle. Theabove-mentioned operations are repeated until it is finally determinedthat images in the full view field range as the photographable range arestored (step S6).

[0043] Upon completion of capturing of images in the full view fieldrange, the flow advances to step S7 to grant the right of access.

[0044] If a client who has temporarily lost the right of access ispresent, the saved angle information is read out to restore the state atthe time of disabling the right of access of that client, andthereafter, the right of access is granted again to that client. At thistime, a message indicating that the right of access is granted again, amessage indicating gratitude, or the like may be sent.

[0045]FIG. 4 shows the format of image data stored in the externalstorage device 6, as described above. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 12 adenotes actually sensed image data; and 12 b, a header that stores theimage sensing date and image sensing angle information (pan and tiltangles and zoom value).

[0046] Note that image data itself sensed in response to an instructionfrom a client with the right of camera access may also be stored in theformat shown in FIG. 4. In this case, a large-capacity external storagedevice 6 is preferably used. In this case, if images are stored in realtime, those substantially equivalent to moving images are obtained. Forthis reason, if the camera device has image capturing performance of 15frames/sec, only one of 15 frames may be stored, or image data capturedat the above-mentioned interval or more may be stored in the externalstorage device 6.

[0047] When the storage capacity is small, storage access to theexternal storage device 6 may be granted to only a specific client whois registered in advance, and other clients may be denied this right. Inthis case, authentication of a client is required, but a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted since a known authenticationtechnique can be used.

[0048] Since the external storage device 6 has a finite storagecapacity, the sensed images are not permanently stored, but areoverwritten in the order of older image data when the capacity is aboutto exceed or a predetermined capacity has been reached.

[0049] When image data are stored in units of clients on the basis ofclient registration information, the storage capacities are determinedin units of clients, and old image data are erased in units of clients.As another method, when the storage capacity of each client is about toexceed, the server may reduce already stored images in accordance withan instruction from a client, and transmit a multi-image list made up ofreduced-scale images to that client. The client user may select imagesto be erased from the multi-image list, and the server may erase theselected images.

[0050] The right of access to one camera is granted to only one user.Other connected users observe images. In this case, the users who arequeued for gaining the right of access (may include the user of theclient with the right of access) can freely observe images which havebeen sensed and stored, as described above.

[0051] In this case, the client transfers a predetermined search commandand its condition data to the camera server.

[0052] Prior to a description of the processing contents of the cameraserver that implements this processing, the arrangement and operation ofthe client will be explained below.

[0053]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an apparatusthat serves as a client.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 6, reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU forcontrolling the entire apparatus; and 12, a ROM that stores a bootprogram, BIOS, and the like. Reference numeral 13 denotes a RAM whichloads one of various kinds of OS programs, browser program, and the liketo control this apparatus to serve as an Internet client apparatus.Reference numeral 14 denotes an external storage device which stores abrowser program, various application programs, and data; 15, a keyboard;16, a pointing device; 17, a display control unit (made up of a VRAM, adrawing chip, and the like); and 18, a display device. Reference numeral19 denotes a communication unit, which is used for connecting the cameraserver shown in FIG. 1.

[0055] The above-mentioned arrangement can be realized by recentpersonal computers or workstations.

[0056]FIG. 7 shows a window displayed when the browser program runs onthe client apparatus shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows a state wherein aconnection to the camera server (its address (URL) is“//www.foo.co.jp/”) has been established, but the client is not grantedthe right of access to the server (a message “camera access denied” isdisplayed).

[0057] Reference numeral 71 denotes a maximum image sensing view fieldrange of that camera; and 72, a current image sensing view field rangeof that camera. Reference numerals 73 and 74 denote scroll bars forrespectively controlling the tilt and pan angles; and 80, a bar forcontrolling the zoom ratio. However, in the illustrated state, sincethis user is not granted the right of camera access, these bars forcontrolling the angle do not work (to clarify this, these bars aredisplayed in an inactive state).

[0058] Reference numeral 75 denotes a frame for displaying an image sentfrom the camera server. Normally, an image with an angle set by anotheruser with the right of access is displayed on this frame. Note that animage is sent from the camera server in a compressed state, and isexpanded and displayed by internal processing.

[0059] In this state, when the user locates a cursor that interlocks thepointing device 16 at the position of a button 79 named “search” in FIG.7, and presses down a button of the pointing device (this operation willbe called “clicking” hereinafter), a search conditional formula can beinput to the connected camera server.

[0060] Although a key input window is not shown, assume, e.g., that theuser inputs:

[0061] search.time1996.10.23.13-02:P50T20

[0062] This formula means:

[0063] “search for an image sensed at a pan angle of 50° and tilt angleof 20° within a 2-hour range from 13:00, Oct. 23, 1996”

[0064] When the user inputs this condition and clicks, e.g., an OKbutton of a window displayed at that time, the client sends thefollowing transfer request character string that complies with theInternet to the connected camera server:

[0065] //www.foo.co.jp/search.time1996.10.23.13-02:P50T20

[0066] When the camera server (FIG. 1) receives this character stringand determines that a character string at the head of the receivedstring is one of reserved words, it interprets the entire string“search. . . . ” not as a file name but as a command.

[0067] As a consequence, the camera server searches data stored in itsown external storage device 6. This search process is attained bychecking headers. If a header that matches the condition is found,corresponding image data is transferred to the client. An imagedisplayed on the frame 75 in FIG. 7 is the one that matched the inputcondition.

[0068] Unlike a normal live image, when the search processing is done,the image sensing date of that image is displayed on the upper portionof the frame 75 in FIG. 7, and page turn buttons 76 and 77, and a button78 for instructing to end the search mode are displayed on the lowerportion of the frame 75.

[0069] The page turn button 76 is an instruction button used forobserving the next image, and the button 77 is used for instructing todisplay the previous image. With these buttons, images which are storedat predetermined time intervals and have the same angle can be displayedin turn.

[0070] When each of the buttons in the search mode is clicked, apre-defined character string such as pagedown, pageup, seachend, or thelike can be transferred after the address of the camera server, as inthe above-mentioned search condition.

[0071]FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the processing contents when thesearch button 79 is clicked on the client apparatus.

[0072] In step S21, the window for inputting a search condition isdisplayed to allow the user to key-input a search condition. Uponcompletion of the key input, the input character string is joined afterthe address of the camera server, and is transferred to the cameraserver. In response to this character string, the camera server startsto search for an image that matches the input condition. When the searchcondition is transferred to the camera server in step S22, the clientapparatus enters the search mode, and displays the buttons 76, 77, and78 shown in FIG. 7.

[0073] In accordance with instructions from the client, the cameraserver transfers a live image or a previously sensed image. Theprocessing contents of the camera server for meeting such requests willbe explained below.

[0074] Note that, in the following description, a mode in which a liveimage is transferred, and the client observes the live image will bereferred to as an “observation mode”, and a mode in which the clientobserves the previously sensed image by inputting the above-mentionedsearch condition will be referred to as a “search mode” so as todistinguish between these modes.

[0075]FIG. 9 shows an example of a client management table assured inadvance in the external storage device 6 of the camera server.

[0076] In FIG. 9, four clients are connected to the server, and theuppermost client is granted the right of camera access. As is understoodfrom FIG. 9, the second and subsequent clients are queued for gainingthe right of camera access. Since the first and third clients are in the“observation mode”, they observe a live image, and the second and thirdclients are in the “search mode”.

[0077] A search pointer in FIG. 9 is information assigned to onlyclients in the “search mode”, and can be considered as the recordnumbers of images transferred to the individual clients. That is, asdescribed above, when clients enter the search mode, they can turn pagesby clicking the previous or next page button. For this reason, thepointer is assigned to detect the current position of an image. Sincethe search conditional formula from each client can be stored in, e.g.,a RAM unless it is changed, it is not stored in the table shown in FIG.9.

[0078] The operation processing of the camera server will be explainedin detail below with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 5. Note thatthis flow charts starts when the server receives an instruction commandfrom the client.

[0079] In step S11, instruction information from the client isinterpreted. The flow then advances to step S12 to check if theinstruction command is associated with the search mode.

[0080] If it is determined that the client of interest is set in the“observation mode” so far, the “search mode” is set at that time, andthe pointer is initialized to “0” (indicating the oldest image data).

[0081] The flow advances to step S13 to start searching the headers ofimage data from the record number indicated by the pointer at that time.In the initial state, since the pointer is “0”, the headers are searchedby incrementing the pointer.

[0082] The flow advances to step S15 to check if a header that matchesthe input condition is found. If a header that matches the inputcondition is found, the flow advances to step S16 to transfer thecorresponding image data and its image sensing date information to theclient that requested that image in accordance with a predeterminedformat.

[0083] On the other hand, if a header that matches the input conditioncannot be found, the flow advances to step S17 to transfer informationindicating the absence of the requested image to the client.

[0084] By executing the above-mentioned operations every time aninstruction command from the client is received, the client can observean image that matches the input condition at the beginning of thesearch, and thereafter, can observe an image of the next page byclicking the page turn button, i.e., image data which are temporallysuccessively sensed at predetermined time intervals, and have the sameangle.

[0085] As described above, according to this embodiment, image data thatmatches a target angle is found from the sensed image data, and thefound image data can be displayed. Also, by setting the time zone to besearched, a search can be done within a desired time zone. In addition,since such accesses can be made even when that client is not granted theright of access, the user may not be able to observe a live image butcan observe a desired image, thus providing a very effective, userfriendly interface.

[0086] In the above description, the presence/absence of the requiredimage data in the search processing of the camera server is preferablydetermined within a certain range. That is, the angle informationinstructed by the search condition input by the user is normallydetermined under the assumption that the target object image is locatedat the central position of the frame 75. Hence, even when the anglediffers albeit slightly, images that include the target object withinthe angle should be retrieved. Such decision can be done by checkingwhether or not the instructed object is present within the view fieldrange since the view field range can be determined on the basis of theangle information (also, the central line of the lens of the camera)stored in the external storage device 6 and the zoom value at that time.

[0087] Furthermore, the browser program on the client side in thisembodiment prompts the user to input a search conditional formula upondepression of the search button. Alternatively, when information istransferred from the camera server in the HTML format, a search inputframe can be displayed within the window 70, and the client side can usea normal browser.

[0088] <Second Embodiment>

[0089] In the first embodiment, a user program with a GUI is prepared tomake a search. However, in the second embodiment, a search is done usingan HTML viewer, HTML page, and CGI.

[0090]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the systemof the second embodiment. Reference numeral 1101 denotes a PC on whichan HTML viewer is installed, and which is connected to the system viathe Internet. Reference numeral 1102 denotes a server made up of a WWWserver 1105, an HTML file system 1103, an image search program 1106, andan image database 1104.

[0091] The PC 1101 accesses the WWW server 1105 to read an HTML fileincluding a camera image.

[0092] The HTML file includes a CGI call.

[0093] For example, if a string:

[0094] <IMG SRC=“http://www.foo.co.jp/search.p50t20”>

[0095] is written on the HTML page, an acquisition request of an imagefile “http://www.foo.co.jp/search.p50t20” is sent from the user who hasdownloaded that HTML page to the server “www.foo.co.jp”. A string“search.p50t20” includes a call command of the search program 1106 andits parameters “the latest image with a pan value=50 and a tiltvalue=20”. In response to this command, the server searches for thelatest image with the pan angle=50° and tilt angle=20°, as describedabove, retrieves the corresponding image from the image database 1104,and transmits it to the PC 1101. As a result, a page including thelatest image is displayed on the PC 1101.

[0096] The user can always observe the latest image by accessing thisHTML page since the server searches for the latest image with that angleand transmits the found image. On the other hand, when the features ofangles such as “Zushi viewed from Shonan”, “Enoshima viewed fromShonan”, and the like are written on this HTML page, images sensed bythe single camera can be searched for different angles by the Internetsearch engine.

[0097] For example, the following HTML files can be prepared: asshonan-enoshima.html, <HTML> <TITLE>Enoshima viewed from Shonan</TITLE><BODY> <IMG SRC=“http://www.foo.co.jp/search.p50t20”> </BODY> </HTML> asshonan-zushi.html, <HTML> <TTTLE>Zushi viewed from Shonan</TITLE> <BODY><IMG SRC=“http://www.foo.co.jp/search.p-50t-20”> </BODY> </HTML>

[0098] Note that the present invention may be applied to either a systemmade up of a plurality of devices or an apparatus consisting of a singledevice.

[0099] The objects of the present invention are also achieved bysupplying a storage medium, which records a program code of a softwareprogram that can realize the functions of the above-mentionedembodiments to the system or apparatus, and reading out and executingthe program code stored in the storage medium by a computer (or a CPU orMPU) of the system or apparatus.

[0100] In this case, the program code itself read out from the storagemedium realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, andthe storage medium which stores the program code constitutes the presentinvention.

[0101] As the storage medium for supplying the program code, forexample, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and the likemay be used.

[0102] The functions of the above-mentioned embodiments may be realizednot only by executing the readout program code by the computer but alsoby some or all of actual processing operations executed by an OS(operating system) running on the computer on the basis of aninstruction of the program code.

[0103] Furthermore, the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments maybe realized by some or all of actual processing operations executed by aCPU or the like arranged in a function extension board or a functionextension unit, which is inserted in or connected to the computer, afterthe program code read out from the storage medium is written in a memoryof the extension board or unit.

[0104] As described above, according to the present invention, sincepreviously sensed image information is stored, information with an angledesired by the user can be searched for and displayed.

[0105] As many apparently widely different embodiments of the presentinvention can be made without departing from the spirit and scopethereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera control system built by a camera server which can freely control a camera device, an angle of which can be freely controlled, and a client for displaying an image from said camera server, said client comprising: search condition transfer means for transferring angle information as search condition instruction information to said server; and display control means for displaying image data transferred from said camera server on predetermined display means, and said camera server comprising: storage means for storing image data sensed by said camera device and angle information of that image data in predetermined storage means; search means for searching said storage means in accordance with the angle information in the instruction information when the instruction information is received from said client; and image data transfer means for transferring the image data found by said search means to said client.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said storage means also stores image sensing date information, and said search condition transfer means transfers time zone information as a search condition.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said camera server senses an image within a photographable range by sequentially changing an angle of said camera device when a pre-set time is reached.
 4. A camera server which has a camera device, an angle of which can be freely controlled, and transfers an image sensed by said camera device to a remote client in accordance with an instruction from the client, comprising: storage means for storing image data sensed by said camera device and angle information of that image data in predetermined storage means; search means for searching said storage means in accordance with the angle information in the instruction information when the instruction information is received from the client; and image data transfer means for transferring the image data found by said search means to the client.
 5. The camera server according to claim 4, wherein said storage means stores image data as a part of HTML data.
 6. The camera server according to claim 4, wherein said search means is a search program executed when instruction information is received from a client.
 7. The camera server according to claim 4, wherein said image data transfer means transfers image data via internet.
 8. The camera server according to claim 7, wherein said image data transfer means transfers the image data by HTTP protocol.
 9. The camera server according to claim 4, wherein said storage means also stores image sensing date information, and said search means makes a search using a time zone as a search condition when the instruction information includes the time zone information.
 10. The camera server according to claim 4, wherein said camera server senses an image within a photographable range by sequentially changing an angle of said camera device when a pre-set time is reached.
 11. A camera client connected to a camera server which has a camera device, an angle of which can be freely controlled, and stores sensed image data in predetermined storage means together with image sensing angle information of that image data, comprising: input means for inputting angle information as search information; transfer means for transferring the input search information to said camera server; and display means for displaying image data found by and transferred from said camera server.
 12. The camera client according to claim 11, wherein said input means inputs the angle information in an address input area of a predetermined browser.
 13. The camera client according to claim 11, wherein said camera server also stores image sensing date information in said storage means in association with the image data, and said input means inputs image sensing time zone information as a search condition.
 14. A method of controlling a camera server which has a camera device, an angle of which can be freely controlled and transfers an image sensed by said camera device to a remote client in accordance with an instruction from the client, comprising: the storage step of storing image data sensed by said camera device and angle information of that image data in predetermined storage means; the search step of searching said storage means in accordance with the angle information in the instruction information when the instruction information is received from the client; and the image data transfer step of transferring the image data found in the search step to the client.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the storage step includes the step of also storing image sensing date information, and the search step includes the step of making a search using a time zone as a search condition when the time zone information is included in the instruction information.
 16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of sensing an image within a photographable range by sequentially changing an angle of said camera device when a pre-set time is reached.
 17. A method of controlling a camera client connected to a camera server which has a camera device, an angle of which can be freely controlled, and stores sensed image data in predetermined storage means together with image sensing angle information of that image data, comprising: the input step of inputting angle information as search information; the transfer step of transferring the input search information to said camera server; and the display step of displaying image data found by and transferred from said camera server.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said camera server also stores image sensing date information in said storage means in association with the image data, and the input step also includes the step of inputting image sensing time zone information as a search condition.
 19. A storage medium that stores a program for implementing a camera server which has a camera device, an angle of which can be freely controlled, and transfers an image sensed by said camera device to a remote client in accordance with an instruction from the client, storing program codes which respectively implement: storage means for storing image data sensed by said camera device and angle information of that image data in predetermined storage means; search means for searching said storage means in accordance with the angle information in the instruction information when the instruction information is received from the client; and image data transfer means for transferring the image data found by said search means to the client.
 20. A storage medium that stores a program for implementing a camera client connected to a camera server which has a camera device, an angle of which can be freely controlled, and stores sensed image data in predetermined storage means together with image sensing angle information of that image data, storing program codes which respectively implement: input means for inputting angle information as search information; transfer means for transferring the input search information to said camera server; and display means for displaying image data found by and transferred from said camera server.
 21. A camera server which can transmit image data in accordance with requests from a plurality of clients, comprising: image sensing means; storage means for storing image data sensed by said image sensing means in association with predetermined information; and transmission means for transmitting image data which is being sensed to a predetermined client of the plurality of clients, and transmitting the image data stored in said storage means to the clients other than the predetermined client.
 22. The camera server according to claim 21, further comprising: reception means for receiving predetermined information from the client other than the predetermined client; and search means for searching said storage means on the basis of the predetermined information received from the client other than the predetermined client, and wherein said transmission means transmits the search result to the client other than the predetermined client.
 23. The camera server according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the predetermined information is angle information of said image sensing means used when image information stored in said storage means was sensed.
 24. The camera server according to claim 21, further comprising: control means for controlling an image sensing state of said image sensing means, and wherein said control means makes control in accordance with an instruction from the predetermined client.
 25. The camera server according to claim 24, wherein the control of the image sensing state includes control of pan and tilt angles and a zoom value.
 26. The camera server according to claim 21, wherein said storage means stores images with a plurality of angles in units of predetermined times.
 27. The camera server according to claim 21, wherein said storage means stores an image sensed by said image sensing means in accordance with an instruction from the predetermined client. 